ItÂ’s time for bPay
By Retail Technology | Thursday April 5 2018
BarclaysÂ’ wearable payments technology bPay has announced partnerships with seven watch brands to embed wearable payments in traditional timepieces and fitness trackers
LBS, bPay will embed its flexible payments chip in a variety of timepieces, sports trackers
and watch straps.
Building on the success of the Timex Fairfield Contactless watch, created in partnership
with bPay last year, bPay and Timex will launch an expanded range of eight contactless-enabled watches in May, for both men and women.
GUESS Watches is also working with bPay to launch a range of six contactless watches where payment strap options in silicone and leather will be matched with GUESS best-sellers.
Wearable payments
bPay's venture with LBS, a leading watch strap supplier, will also bring additional reach and scale to wearable payments.
Together, LBS and bPay are launching the 'TapStrap', a replacement strap that can be fitted to any watch with a 18mm, 20mm or 22mm strap - the most common watch strap sizes - enabling wearers to make purchases up to £30 quickly and easily.
Meanwhile, Suunto, the Finnish manufacturer of sports watches, dive computers and sports
instruments, will be broadening its offering for sports enthusiasts with a bPay-enhanced version of the Suunto 3 Fitness watch, launching later this spring.
Seamlessly embedded
Also launching are partnerships with Swiss watchmakers Mondaine alongside Kronaby, the Swedish manufacturer of hybrid watches and ADEXE Watches, manufacturer of classic
lifestyle timepieces designed in London, all who are developing a range of payment-enabled
watches with bPay seamlessly embedded into the strap.
To support production of these contactless-enabled products, bPay is working with Tappy, a License Visa Technology Partner and a Visa Vetted Vendor.
Adam Herson, business development director, Barclays Mobile Payments said: "Thanks to the range of products these agreements will bring to market, customers will be able to buy a
watch or fitness tracker that not only suits their taste, but also unlocks benefits of speed and ease in everyday purchases.”
